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Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notos  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 
D 
D 

n 
n 


n 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagee 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
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D 


Q 


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Ce  document  est  filmA  -     ^aux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  i4X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


nv 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 


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Archives  of  Canada 


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g6n6rosit6  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Arcnives 
pub'iques  du  Canada 


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beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
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first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
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or  illustrated  impression. 


I  . 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
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filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
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dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illuptration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaTtra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  salon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — *^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


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different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  rdduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  A  partir 
de  i'angle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


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IGHLANDS 


'  The  spot  where  Kosciusko  dreamed, 
VoTt  Putnim's  gray  and  ruined  wall. 
West  Point,  where  patriot  bayonets  gleamed,— 
This  page  reveals  them  all."  ^ 

Wallace  Urvck— ''Poems  on  the  Hudton. 


1       I 


^     AT     NEW     YORK 
IMPRINTED   FOR 

HENRY     C-RANSrON 
NEW  YORK  HOTEL 
1883 


1      ( 


THE 


Hudson  Highlands. 


|HE  Highlands  of  the  Hudson  were 
the  backbone  of  the  Revolution. 
It  was  here,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  war,  that  General  Washington 
first  saw  the  importance  of  fortifying  and 
holding  the  strong  positions  which  nature 
had  already  formed,  and  which  needed  only  a 
little  work  of  man  to  make  almost  impreg- 
nable. 

A  few  of  these  points,  fortified,  enabled 
the  American  army  to  keep  all  the  fleets  of 
King  George  below  the  Highlands,  as  well 
as  a  free  and  uninterrupted  communication 


* 


The  Hudson  Highla^ids. 


between  the  New  England  States  and  the 
Middle  and  Southern  States.  So  long,  as 
this  system  remained  intact,  the  integrity  of 
the  thirteen  colonies  was  unbroken. 

This  was  well  understood  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  and  after  finding  that  this  strong- 
hold w^as  too  well  guarded  by  General 
Washington  to  be  captured  by  assault,  he 
gave  up  the  chivalrous  course  of  the  soldier, 
taking  upon  himself  the  work  of  the  detective, 
seeking,  through  the  venality  of  a  Benedict 
Arnold,  to  gain  possession  of  this  key  to 
the  Revolution. 

The  important  part  that  the  Highlands 
played  in  the  struggle  for  American  Indepen- 
dence makes  them  forever  dear  to  all  lovers 
of  freedom;  and  though  a  hundred  years 
have  elapsed  since  those  stirring  times,  yet 
there  is  no  one  who  is  not  fond  of  visitincr 

o 

their  historic  scenes,  and  looking  upon  the 
very  spots  where  the  drama  of  the  birth  of 
a  nation  was  played  in  earnest;  where  the 
patriot  built  his  fortresses  and  died  in  de- 
fending them ;  where  the  traitor  almost  sue- 


^s* 


The  Htidson  Highlands. 


ceeded  in  making  treachery  triumphant; 
where  a  small  and  ragged  army  guarded 
well  this  backbone  of  the  system  of  States, 
furnishing  every  member  thereof  vitality  and 
life. 

Few  there  are  who  can  look  upon  these 
scenes  with  heart  untouched,  and  no  Amer- 
ican can  see  them  without  feeling  the  warm 
sympathetic  glow  of  his  heart  kindle  with  re- 
spect and  veneration  toward  his  forefathers, 
who  toiled,  suffered,  and  died  in  order  that 
their  children  might  have  a  government 
under  which  all  men  would  be  free  and 
equal. 

It  is  true  that  peace  and  plenty  have  suc- 
ceeded the  bustle  and  confusion  of  war 
yet  the  same  mountain-peaks  tower  on  hiah 
in  their  silent  grandeur,  and  the  ruo-ged 
scenery  remains  the  same  to-day  as  it  did  a 
century  ago. 

It  was  amid  these  scenes  that  Forts 
Uinton  and  Montgomery  were  erected,  at 
the  lower  end  of  the  Highlands,  and  just 
across  the  river,  from  the  latter  fort,  towered 


The  Hudso7i  Highlands. 


"Anthony's  Nose."  Between  these  two 
points  was  stretched  an  iron  cable,  or  che- 
vaux-de-frise,  to  prevent  the  passage  of 
British  ships. 

These  two  forts  were  commanded  by  Gen- 
erals George  and  James  Clinton,  two  broth- 
ers renowned  for  their  loyalty  and  devotion 
to  the  cause  of  Liberty. 

Early  in  the  month  of  October,  1777,  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  commander-in-chief  of  the 
British  army,  made  an  expedition  in  person 
as^ainst  these  two  forts. 

Landing  his  forces,  consisting  of  two 
thousand  men,  at  Stony  Point,  he  marched 
around  the  base  of  Dunderberg,  and  when 
between  that  and  Bear  Hill  he  separated  his 
command  in  order  to  attack  the  two  forts 
simultaneously.  One  detachment,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell, 
marched  around  the  west  side  of  Bear  Hill 
to  assault  Fort  Montgomery  ;  the  other,  in 
command  of  himself,  was  to  assault,  at  the 
same  time.  Fort  Clinton. 

These  two  attacks  were  made  as  contem- 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


piated,  Pnd,  after  a  terrible  conflict,  both  forts 
were  captured.  "  On  the  following  mornin. 

between  Fort  Montgomery  and   Anthony's 
Nose  were  cleared   away ;    the  Americans 
evacuated  Forts  Independence  and  ConTi 
tufon  and  a  free  passage  of  the  Hudson  was 
open  for  British  ships.'- 

ton^Tn  ^"f  P?".^^"-=<=  7^^  below  Fort  Clin- 
Col  >  """""^  °^  ^""'^=^^111,  and  Fort 

Con  t,tut,on  was  on  the  island  opposite  West 
ho  nt.  These  comprised  all  the  fortifications 
at  th,s  fme  of  the  Highlands.  Fort  Putnam 
was  not  yet  completed. 

General  Putnam,  in  command  of  the  Hi^h- 
ands  retreated  up  the  river  from  Peekskill, 
his  headquarters,  to  Fishkill. 

This  was  the  only  time  that  the  British 
had  free  passage  of  the  Hudson  up  to  Al- 
bany,   dunng   the   war.     At  this   time   Sir 

Henry  Chnton  built  largely  upon  it,  as  it 
gave  him  free  communication  with  General 


'  '"'"S'=  Life  of  Washington,  vol.  iii.,  p.  ^i. 


A 


The  H^ic^son  Highlands. 


Burgoyne,  so  soon  as  the  latter  should  de- 
stroy the  army  under  General  Gates,  then 
opposing  his  march  from  Canada  to  Albany, 
by  way  of  Lakes  Champlain  and  George. 

After  the  capture  of  the  forts.  Governor 
Clinton,  who  had  escaped  from  Fort  Mont- 
gomery by  leaping  down  the  rocks  into  the 
river,  immediately  rallied  what  few  soldiers 
he  could  find,  calling  upon  the  militia  of  the 
State,  so  that  in  a  few  ck^ys  he  had  a  little 
force  at  New  Windsor,  jast  below  Newburg, 
on  the  river. 

Mr.  Irving  in  his  Life  of  Washington  says  : 
**0n  the  9th  (October)  two  persons  coming 
from  Fort  Montgomery  were  arrested  by  his 
guard,  and  brought  before  him  for  examina- 
tion. One  was  much  agitated,  and  was  ob- 
served to  put  something  hastily  into  his 
mouth  and  swallow  it.  An  emetic  was  ad- 
ministered, and  brought  up  a  small  silver 
bullet.  Before  he  could  be  prevented  he 
swallowed  it  again.  On  his  refusing  a  second 
emetic,  the  Governor  threatened  to  have 
him  hanged  and   his  body   opened.     This 


■! 


'^^^^  Hudson  Highlands.  y 

threat  produced  the  bullet  in  the  precedinc 
manner.     It  was  oval  in  form,  and  hollow"* 
with  a  screw  in  the  centre,  and  contained  a 
note  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Buro-oyne 
written  on  a  slip  of  thin  paper,  and'dated 
October  8th,  from  Fort  Montgomery,  '  Nous 
y  voici  (here  we  are),  and  nothing  between 
us  and  Gates.     I   sincerely  hope  this  litde 
success  of  ours  will  facilitate  your  operations.' 
The  bearer  of  the  letter  was  tried  and  con- 
victed as  a  spy  and  sentenced  to  be  hanged  " ' 
The  British  had  sailed  up  to  Kingston,  the 
then  capital  of  New  York,  captured  it,  and 
burned  it,  together  with  a  large  amount  of 
military  stores  collected  at  that  point,  then 
retreated  to  their  ships. 
^  Governor    Clinton   hung  the  spy   in  full 
sight  of  the  burning  town. 

The  British  gained  no  further  advanta^^e 
from  the  possession  of  the  Highlands,  as  on 
the  17th  of  the  same  month  Burgoyne  was 
compelled  to  surrender  all  his  forces  to  the 

'  Vol.  iii.,  p.  250. 


8  The  Hudson  Highlaitds. 

American  army  under  the  command  of  Gen- 
eral Gates.  The  British  ships  and  troops 
retired  below  the  Highlands,  and  never  again 
succeeded  in  capturing  them. 

Prose  and  poetry  have  vied  with  each 
other  in  picturing  the  beauties  of  the  High- 
lands. Though  volumes  have  been  written 
delineating  their  magnificent  scenery,  or 
showing  the  exquisite  beauty,  like  a  pretty 
picture,  of  some  secluded  n^^'^^--,  within  the 
sound  of  rippling  water,  where  light  and 
shadow  seem  to  play,  chasing  each  other 
across  the  valley  and  away  o'er  the  moun- 
tain top  until  they  are  lost  in  the  blue  ether 
of  the  summer  sky,  yet  not  one  tithe  of 
their  grandeur  or  beauty  has  been  told. 

Could  those  lofty  mountains  but  speak, 
how  terrible  would  be  their  tales  of  the 
bloody  conflicts,  the  agony  and  suffering 
which  have  taken  place  in  their  immediate 
presence. 

Such  tales  would  show  the  manly  courage 
of  the  warr'o  •  who  took  part  in  the  Revolu- 
tion.    There  are  none  but  would  listen  with 


The  Fhidso7t  Highlands. 


rapt  attention  to  such  narrations,  for  no  mat- 
ter how  adverse  one  may  be  to  war  and  its 
shedding  of  blood,  the  heart  will  involuntar- 
ily swell  with  admiration  at  the  recital  of 
deeds  of  valor  on  the  field  of  battle. 

But  they  could  tell  another  story,  of  dark, 
deep-laid  treachery,  carried  on  for  months 
at  their  very  feet,  by  which  one  of  America's 
bravest  generals  fell  from  the  high  pedestal 
of  a  gallant  soldier  to  the  eternal  infamy  of 
a  traitor. 

During  the  year  1780,  Benedict  Arnold, 
who  held  a  commission  of  general  in  the 
American  army,  was  assigned  to  the  impor- 
tant command  of  West  Point,  which  em- 
braced the  Highlands.  For  months  before 
this  he  had  opened  up  a  secret  correspon- 
dence with  Sir  Henry  Clinton  over  the  sig- 
nature of  "  Gustavus."  The  correspondence 
was  kept  up  on  the  part  of  Sir  Henry  by  his 
aide-de-camp,  Major  John  Andre,  over  the 
signature  of  "  John  Anderson." 

Arnold  occupied  and  used  for  his  head- 
quarters the  house  owned,  and  before  the 


lo  The  Hjidson  Hio-Jilaiids. 


<i>' 


war  occupied,  by  Beverley  Robinson,  who 
was  a  royalist,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war  had  left  his  country-seat,  known  as 
"  Beverley,"  and  taken  a  commission  in  the 
British  army  with  the  rank  of  colonel.  The 
whole  estate  of  "Beverley"  had  been  confis- 
cated by  the  State  of  New  York  before  it 
was  occupied  by  Arnold. 

As  has  been  said,  West  Point  seemed  to 
be  the  key  to  the  success  of  the  Revolution, 
and  now  that  Arnold  was  in  command,  it 
was  well  worth  the  while  for  Sir  Henry  to 
listen  to  the  overtures  of  the  former.  So  the 
correspondence  became  more  active,  until  it 
was  arranijed  that  Arnold  should  surrender 
West  Point  and  the  Highlands,  with  all  the 
troops  and  military  stores  in  his  command. 

To  make  the  arrangement  sure,  it  was 
thought  best  that  a  personal  interview  should 
take  place  between  Arnold  and  Andre. 

To  effect  this,  Arnold  went  down  the  river 
to  the  house  of  Joshua  Hett  Smith,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Stony  Point,  and  induced  Smith 
to  go  off  in  a  sm^U  boat,  at  night,  to  the 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


II 


British  sloop-of-war  Vulture,  then  lying  at 
anchor  in  the  Hudson,  and  bring-  Major 
Andre  on  shore.  Smith  accomplished  this 
successfully,  landing  Major  Andre  at  mid- 
night at  the  place  agreed  upon,  where  they 
found  Arnold  waiting.  The  two  withdrew 
into  a  thicket,  and  by  the  time  the  negotia- 
tion was  completed,  mcrning  had  dawned 
upon  them.  It  was  thought  best  for  Andre 
to  pass  the  day  at  Smith's  house,  and  go  off 
to  the  Vulture  the  following  night. 

Arnold  returned  to  his  headquarters  that 
morning,  leavmg  Andre  at  Smith's  house. 

As  soon  as  it  was  dark  Andre  desired 
Smith  to  put  him  on  board  the  Vulture. 
This  he  refused  to  do,  alleging  that  the  men 
who  rowed  had  gone  off,  and  that  he  could 
not  do  it  alone.  Andre  then  decided  to  go 
by  land,  making  use  of  the  pass  that  Arnold 
had  given  him  for  such  an  emergency. 
Smith  accompanied  him  across  the  river  at 
King's  Ferry,  and  started  him  on  his  way  to 
New  York  on  horseback. 

Andre  got  along  very  well,  using  his  pass, 


12  The  Ihidson  Highlands. 

until  he  was  well  in  what  was  called  the 
**  Neutral  Ground,"  and,  as  he  thought,  be- 
yond all  the  American  outposts.  As  he 
came  near  the  place  now  known  as  Tarry- 
town,  he  was  stopped  by  three  men,  guard- 
ing the  road.  From  their  appearance  he 
took  them  to  be  adherents  of  the  British 
army,  and  without  reserve  declared  his  name 
and  rank.  ■  They  thereupon  told  him  they 
were  American  soldiers,  and  made  him  pris- 
oner. 

They  found  nothing  suspicious  upon  him 
until  they  pulled  off  his  boots.  There,  care- 
fully stowed  away,  they  discovered  the  whole 
plan  of  betrayal  in  Arnold's  handwriting. 
Andre  then  tried  to  gain  his  release  by 
offering  his  captors  large  sums  of  money, 
together  with  his  watch  and  chain.  But 
they  were  not  to  be  bribed.  They  took  him 
to  the  nearest  American  post,  commanded 
by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jameson,  and  gave 
him  in  charge  of  that  officer. 

These  three  men,  whose  names  were  John 
Paulding,  Isaac  Van  Wart,  and  David  Wil- 


1 
i 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


13 


Hams,  though  poor  and  unknown,  preferred 
manhood  and  integrity  to  British  gold.  How 
vastly  different  do  their  names  appear  on 
the  page  of  history  from  that  of  Benedict 
Arnold ! 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Jameson  placed  An- 
dre under  guard,  and  sent  the  papers  found 
upon  him  to  General  Washington. 

For  some  inexplicable  reason  he  de- 
spatched a  letter  to  Arnold,  informing  him 
of  the  capture  of  Andre,  and  that  he  had  for- 
warded the  papers  to  General  Washington. 

The  latter  was  on  his  way  to  West  Point, 
and  had  notified  Arnold  that  he,  together 
with  Generals  Knox,  Lafayette,  and  aides 
would  breakfast  with  him  at  the  Robinson 
House. 

Upon  arriving  in  the  vicinity,  Generals 
Washington,  Knox,  and  Lafayette  desired 
to  look  at  some  fortifications,  which  would 
prevent  their  taking  breakfast  with  Arnold 
as  proposed.  So  he  sent  Colonel  Hamilton, 
with  the  other  aides,  direct  to  Arnold's,  with 
the  message  not  to  wait  breakfast  for  him. 


14  The  Hudson  Highlands. 

Mrs.  Arnold,  who  had  only  a  few  days  be- 
fore this  joined  her  husband,  presided  at  the 
breakfast,  with  her  husband,  Colonel  Hamil- 
ton, and  several  officers.  While  they  were 
at  the  table,  a  letter  was  handed  to  Arnold 
— the  one  sent  him  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Jameson : 

"  The  mine  had  exploded  beneath  Arnold's 
feet;  yet  in  this  awful  moment  he  gave  an 
evidence  of  that  quickness  of  mind  which 
had  won  laurels  for  him  when  in  the  path  of 
duty.  Controlling"  the  dismay  which  must 
have  smitten  him  to  the  heart,  he  beckoned 
Mrs.  Arnold  from  the  breakfast-table,  signi- 
fying a  wish  to  speak  with  her  in  private. 
When  alone  with  her  in  her  room  up-stairs, 
he  announced  in  hurried  words  that  he  was 
a  ruined  man,  and  must  instantly  fly  for  his 
life  !  Overcome  by  the  shock,  she  fell  sense- 
less on  the  floor.  Without  pausing  to  aid 
her,  he  hurried  down-stairs,  sent  the  mes- 
senger to  her  assistance,  probably  to  keep 
him  from  an  interview  with  the  other  officers  ; 
returned  to  the  breakfast-room,  and  informed 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


15 


his  oruests  that  he  must  haste  to  West  Point 
to  prepare  for  the  reception  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief; and  mounting  the  horse 
of  the  messenger,  which  stood  saddled  at 
the  door,  galloped  down  by  what  's  still 
called  Arnold's  Path,  to  the  landing-place, 
where  his  six-oared  barge  was  moored. 
Throwing  himself  into  it,  he  ordered  his  men 
to  pull  out  into  the  middle  of  the  river,  and 
then  made  down  with  all  speed." ' 

During  the  same  morning  the  messenger 
that  had  been  sent  to  carry  the  papers  found 
on  Andre  to  General  Washington,  arrived  at 
Arnold's  headquarters,  having  learned  that 
General  Washington  was  to  be  there.  These 
papers  revealed  the  whole  plot,  and  at  once 
solved  the  mysterious  departure  of  Arnold. 

ThouMi  General  Washinorton  took  imme- 
diate  measures  to  intercept  Arnold,  it  was 
too  late ;  the  latter,  without  interruption,  ar- 
rived at  the  Vulture  ;  and  in  order  to  show 
the  world  that  there  was   no   limit  to  his 


'  Irving's  Washington,  vol.  iv.,  p.  131. 


1 6  The  Hudso7i  HigJilands. 

meanness,  he  gave  up  his  bargemen,  who 
had  rowed  him  down,  as  prisoners  of  war. 

Much  to  the  credit  of  Sir  Henry  CHnton, 
upon  hearing  of  this  circumstance,  he  re- 
leased the  bargemen,  and  sent  them  to  the 
American  lines. 

Major  Andre  was  brought,  the  night  fol- 
lowing the  escape  of  Arnold,  t"»  the  Robinson 
House,  and  was  afterward  tried  and  executed 
as  a  spy. 

Mrs.  Arnold  was  shown  every  attention 
and  consideration  by  General  Washmgton ; 
and  as  soon  as  she  was  able  she  returned  to 
her  father's  house  in  Philadelphia,  where  she 
hoped  to  be  allowed  to  remain.  Congress 
would  not  permit  her  to  remain  within  the 
American  lines.  She  thereupon  joined  her 
husband  in  New  York,  subsequently  going 
with  him  to  England,  where  she  died. 

Thus  terminated  the  career  of  Arnold  as 
an  American  soldier.  He  did  everything 
on  his  part  to  give  to  Great  Britain  the  fruit 
of  his  infamy,  but  it  turned  to  ashes,  ay,  to 
wormwood  and  gall,  in  the  loss  of  one  of 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


17 


her  best  loved  officers,  who  was  hanged  as 

a  spy. 

Arnold  left  nothing-  undone  to  bring  ruin 
and  destruction  upon  his  country,  that  coun- 
try which  had  placed  chaplets  of  laurel  upon 
his  brow  ;  which  had  showered  honor  and 
fame  upon  him;  which  had  reposed  confi- 
dence and  trust  in  him. 

He  descended  into  the  depths:  of  infamy 
to  forge  the  bolt  that  was  to  rend  and  shat- 
ter his  country  ;  but  the  protecting  hand  of 
Providence  averted  the  blow,  permitting  it 
to   spend  its  force  in  blasting  the  life  of  its 

designer  forever 

As  the  fruits  of  that  war,  we  have  the 
Highlands,  enjoying  peace,  and  abounding 
in  comfort  and  luxury,  affording  a  grateful 
resort  to  those  who  seek  in  summer  clear 
sunshine  and  pure  mountain  air. 

Cranston's  West  Point  Hotel,  on  the  Hud- 
son, situated   about  midway  in    the  High- 
lands, affords,  perhaps,  as  many  attractions  as 
can  be  found  in  any  resort  on  the  continent. 
On  a  bold,  rocky  promontory,  which  rises 


1 8  The  Hudso7i  Highlands. 

perpendicular  from  the  water  over  two  hun- 
dred feet,  stands  the  hotel,  overlooking  the 
river  for  miles.  On  either  side  are  spread 
out  handsome  country-seats,  while  in  the 
rear  tower  the  lofty  mountains. 

The  views  from  every  side  are  grand,  and 
it  is  difficult  to  determine  which  one  is  the 
best.  To  one  fond  of  mountain  scenerv 
these  views  are  a  continual  feast,  and  days 
might  gather  into  weeks  before  the  eye 
would  weary  of  their  grandeur. 

From  the  front  piazzas  may  be  seen  a 
long  stretch  of  the  east  side  of  the  river, 
thickly  dotted  with  summer  residences,  some 
grand  and  lofty,  others  simple  and  unpre- 
tentious, while  all  are  embowered  among  the 
trees,  and  now  and  then  the  hard,  smooth 
roadway  will  peep  out  as  it  winds  its  serpen- 
tine course  through  the  grassy  lawns. 

There,  just  beyond  the  handsome  resi- 
dence of  Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  may  be  seen 
the  identical  Robinson  House,  Benedict 
Arnold's  headquarters.  There,  where  that 
shoulder  of  land  makes  out  into  the  river, 


\ 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


19 


I 


was  the  landing-  where  he  kept  his  barge. 
Lower  down,  and  just  at  the  bend  of  the 
river,  looms  up  Anthony's  Nose.  Looking 
the  other  way,  and  up  the  river,  may  be  seen 
the  site  of  Fort  Constitution,  and  back  from 
the  river,  overlooking  the  military  grounds 
of  West  Point,  a  glimpse  is  caught  of  Fort 
Putnam,  with  the  stormy  peak  of  "  Crow's 
Nest "  in  the  distance. 

Some  two  years  since,  Mr.  Cranston,  the 
proprietor  of  the  New  York  Hotel,  came 
into  possession  of  this  property,  known  as 
*'  Cozzen's  Hotel,"  and  has  spared  neither 
money  nor  labor  in  beautifying  the  grounds, 
and  making  the  hotel  in  every  respect  a  lux- 
urious and  attractive  home.  In  fact,  there 
remains  nothing  of  the  "  Cozzen's  Hotel  " 
but  the  bare  walls  of  the  building,  which  are 
of  brick  founded  on  the  solid  rock. 

Its  location  permits  a  perfect  system  of 
drainage,  which  has  been  completely  carried 
out  by  Mr.  Cranston,  so  that  malaria,  with 
all  its  multiplication  of  ailments,  is  absolutely 
unknown. 


I 

■J 


20  The  Hudson  High  lauds. 

The  perfect  cleanliness  of  the  hotel,  to- 
gether with  the  cool,  fresh  air  from  the  moun- 
tain tops,  and  pure  water  from  their  springs, 
will  eradicate  that  hydra-headed  disease  from 
the  system  far  more  effectually  than  any 
course  of  medical  treatment.  Not  a  room, 
not  even  the  smallest  bedroom  of  the  attic, 
but  has  been  renovated  and  furnished  com- 
pletely with  new  furniture.  The  mattresses 
of  hair,  clean  white  linen,  and  soft  spring 
water  for  bathing,  are  all  that  can  be  desired. 

What  more  can  be  said  of  the  table  than 
that  it  fully  equals  that  of  the  New  York 
Hotel  ? 

The  grounds  enclosed  consisting  of  about 
twenty  acres  of  fine  lawn,  are  more  or  less 
covered  with  handsome  trees,  which  in  some 
parts  make  a  complete  shade  during  all  the 
day,  where  children  are  allowed  to  play,  roll, 
and  tumble  ad  libitum. 

Near  the  house  the  grounds  were  quite 
broken,  but  the  hills  have  been  graded  and 
modified  so  much  by  art  that  they  now  form 
smooth  grassy  undulations  to  diversify  the 


> 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


21 


V 


view.  Here  and  there  a  huge  rock  stands 
out  in  bold  relief,  showing  that  nature  has 
not  been  entirely  supplanted  by  art.  To 
make  the  grounds  still  more  attractive,  the 
landscape  gardener  has  provided  a  great 
number  of  beds  of  flowers  and  grasses,  in  a 
variety  of  forms,  which,  with  the  smoothly 
shaven  lawns,  form  a  pleasing  contrast. 

The  very  neat  and  pretty  cottages  dotting 
the  grounds  assume  a  quietude  and  pictu- 
resqueness  among  the  rocks  and  flowers, 
more  from  the  irregularity  of  their  position 
than  they  otherwise  would,  if  placed  upon  a 
line  exactly  alike. 

The  broad,  smooth  carriage-way  and  grav- 
elled walks,  winding  in  and  out  among  the 
rocks  and  trees,  form  a  distinctive  feature  of 
the  general  plan. 

No  prettier  sight  can  be  seen  than  the 
one  from  the  broad  veranda,  looking  down 
through  the  vista  of  trees  over  the  flowery 
lawn,  with  the  piazzas  of  the  cottages  filled 
with  graceful  loungers,  while  here  the  chil- 
dren are  romping  and   playing   under  the 


i' 


22  TAe  Hudson  Highlands. 


supposed  Avatchful  eye  of  the  nurse ;  there, 
young  ladies  and  gentlemen,  with  bat  and 
ball,  earnestly  engaged  in  the  active  game 
of  lawn  tennis ; — see  with  what  graceful 
skill  that  lady  pierces  the  target  with 
the  quivering  arrow,  and  how  with  eqLal 
grace  she  retires,  amid  the  applause  of  her 
admirers,  one  of  whom,  it  may  be,  has  al- 
ready been  singled  out  for  a  target  to  be 
pierced  by  Cupid's  dart,  directed  by  the 
same  flashing  eye ;  while  continually  going 
to  and  fro  along  the  carriage-way  are  the 
dashing  turnouts  or  the  mere  sober  equi- 
pages of  the  guests. 

Such  is  the  picture,  teeming  with  active 
life  and  enjoyment,  that  may  be  looked  upon 
any  bright  morning.  If  the  weather  is  un- 
pleasant the  click  of  the  balls  in  the  bowling 
alley  may  be  heard  near  at  hand. 

A  view  entirely  different  may  be  obtained 
from  the  other  side  of  the  hotel.  There, 
from  the  little  summer-house,  located  just 
on  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  is  seen,  imme- 
diately underneath,    the   majestic   Hudson. 


I 


TJlc  Htidson  Highlands. 


23 


Upon  the  right  are  the  waters,  roaring  and 
tumbhng  as  they  rush  over  the  rocky  struct- 
ure of  "  Buttermilk  Falls,"  clown  into  the 
gorge  on  their  way  to  the  river.  Forming 
a  background  is  the  long  range  of  mountains 
towering  aloft. 

The  ever-changing  beauties  of  the  moun- 
tains, the  innumerable  craft  plying  up  and 
down  the  river,  form  a  panorama  of  which 
the  eye  never  wearies. 

In  all  the  surroundings  art  has  seized 
upon  the  most  available  points  for  enjoying 
the  picturesque  and  grand,  which  have  been 
so  lavishly  bestowed  by  nature. 

The  roads  on  either  side  of  the  river,  and 
running  parallel,  are  as  fine  as  park  boule- 
vards, shaded  most  of  the  way  by  fine  eld 
forest  trees,  affording  the  opportunity  for 
very  pleasant  drives. 

A  visit  to  the  Government  grounds  and 
military  school  of  West  Point,  one  mile  and 
a  quarter  from  the  hotel,  makes  a  delight- 
ful ride  along  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  one 
of  which  the  guests  apparently  never  tire. 


i> 


24  The  Hudson  Highlands. 


Nature  and  art  have  combined  to  make 
West  Point  one  of  the  most  picturesque  and 
attractive  spots  on  the  continent. 

The  varied  drills  of  the  cadets  enable  one 
to  see  all  the  evolutions  of  an  army,  exe- 
cuted with  marked  precision  and  skill. 

The  "  hops,"  which  are  frequently  given 
at  the  military  academy,  form  no  slight  at- 
traction to  the  young  lady  guests  of  the 
hotel,  as  they  are  eagerly  sought  by  the 
budding  soldiers  to  make  up  the  cotillon. 
j  The  drive  to  Fort  Putnam,  one  mile  and 

j  .  a  half,  is  very  interesting.     This  fort,  built 

I  upon  a  spur  of  the  mountain  back  of  West 

Point,  some  six  hundred  feet  above  the  river 
though  long  since  abandoned  by  troops,  re- 
tains its  parapets  and  several  casemates  in 
good  state  of  preservation.  The  view  taken 
from  its  w^alls  is  magnificent.  A  fine  road 
runs  all  the  way  to  the  fort. 

The  Government  has  just  completed  a 
new  observatory,  which  well  repays  a  visit. 
It  is  built  on  the  foundation  of  old  Fort 
WiUis,  and  is  not  far  from  Fort  Putnam.     A 


The  Hudsoji  Highlands. 


25 


fine  road  runs  directly  to  it,  and  from  its  top 
a  fine  view  can  be  obtained.  By  continuing 
aloncr  this  road  one  can  return  to  the  hotel 
by  way  of  West  Point,  making  altogether  a 
very  pleasant  drive. 

To  one  fond  of  mountain  scenery  the  ride 
to  the  summit  of  *'  Crow's  Nest,"  distant 
four  or  five  miles,  is  most  enjoyable.  The 
road  is  good,  and  every  step  of  the  ascent 
unfolds  new  views  of  the  rugged  scenery, 
which  before  were  quite  unknown,  until  at 
last,  from  the  summit,  the  eye  takes  in  at  a 
glance  the  whole  range  of  the  Highlands, 
with  all  their  majestic  grandeur,  together 
with  miles  of  the  historic  Hudson,  bearing 
upon  its  bosom  hundreds  of  vessels  freighted 
with  the  commerce  of  a  continent. 

The  drive  to  Cornwall,  six  miles  up  the 
river,  by  a  good  road  over  the  mountain,  is 
very  pleasant ;  and  if  one  desires  to  make  an 
all-day's  ride,  he  can  continue  on  to  the  city 
of  Newburg,  there  lunch,  returning  by  same 
road  to  the  hotel  in  time  for  dinner. 

A  very  pretty  ride,  full  of  wild  mountain 


26  The  Hudson  Highlands. 

scenery,  may  be  had  by  going  up  the  "  Eagle 
Valley  Road  "  to  "  Long  Lake,"  four  or  five 
miles  ;  the  road  is  hilly  but  very  good. 

The  iron  mine,  "  Forest  de  Dean,"  nine 
miles  from  the  hotel,  repays  a  visit.  The 
working  of  the  mine  is  in  full  operation,  and 
the  obliging  foreman  will  permit  parties  to 
go  into  the  mine  and  witness  the  process 
of  getting  out  ore.  The  drift  is  fifteen  hun- 
dred feet  in  length,  five  hundred  feet  below 
the  surface. 

A  very  lovely  drive  down  the  river  may 
be  taken  of  four  miles,  leading  to  the  sites 
of  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton,  of  revo- 
lutionary fame.  Very  little  of  the  forts  re- 
main, but  their  sites  are  interesting  from 
the  fact  that  one  of  the  bloodiest  conflicts 
of  the  war  took  place  when  they  were  cap- 
tured. By  continuing  on  the  road,  two 
miles  farther  in  among  the  hills,  Highland 
lake  is  reached,  lying  at  the  foot  of  Bear 
Hill,  between  it  and  the  river.  This  lake  is  a 
lovely  sheet  of  water,  embosomed  among  the 
hills,  very  attractive  for  whiling  away  a  few 


I 


The  Hudson  Higlila7ids.  27 

hours  of  a  summer's  day.  The  drives  so  far 
mentioned  are  on  the  west  side  of  the  river. 

One  of  the  first  objects  that  strikes  the 
eye  on  the  east  side,  in  looking  from  the 
veranda  of  the  hotel,  is  a  tower-like  build- 
ing, erected  apparently  upon  the  summit  of 
one  of  the  mountains  of  that  side. 

This  house  is  the  summer  seat  of  Mr. 
Osborn,  recently  completed  in  most  elabor- 
ate style.  The  stone  of  which  it  is  con- 
structed was  quarried  in  its  immediate  vi- 
cinity ;  the  rooms  are  finished  off  in  different 
kinds  cf  wood;  the  cabinets,  bureaus,  bed- 
steads, etc.,  to  correspond,  were  all  made  on 
the  spot.  Those  made  from  magnolia  and 
cypress  wood  from  Louisiana,  are  especially 
fine.  The  drive  to  this  place,  over  the  river 
by  ferry  from  hotel  to  Garrison's,  then  up 
the  mountain  by  fine  road,  occupies  about 
one  hour.  The  views  alone  from  this  place 
compensate  for  the  journey. 

A  visit  to  the  Beverley  Robinson  House, 
memorable  from  the  treason  of  Arnold,  is  of 
deep  interest;  the  drive  to  it  is  very  pleasant. 


28  The  Hudson  Highlands. 

crossing  the  river  to  Garrison's,  from  thence, 
along  the  smooth  road  leading  past  the 
handsome  grounds  of  several  summer  resi- 
dences ;  does  not  occupy  more  than  one  hour. 

The  drive  to  "  Indian  Brook  Falls,"  two 
or  three  miles  from  Garrison's,  over  a  fine 
shady  road,  is  one  not  to  be  missed.  Leav- 
ing the  carriage  at  the  bridge  which  crosses 
Indian  Brook,  and  entering  the  ravine  and 
following  up  the  stream  a  short  distance,  the 
Falls  are  soon  reached,  the  ravine  widens 
out  just  below  the  Falls.  Turning  and  look- 
innf  back  down  the  narrow  ravine  toward 
the  bridge,  there  is  presented  as  pretty  a 
picture  as  can  be  imagined. 

Seated  here,  where  the  heat  of  a  summer's 
sun  cannot  penetrate,  with  the  walls  of  the 
ravine  extending  high  above  on  either  side, 
with  the  falls  in  front  and  the  rippling  water 
running  at  the  feet,  one  can  feel  as  though 
he  were  a  thousand  miles  away  from  the 
abode  of  man. 

The  drive  to  Peekskill,  ten  miles  down 
the  river  road,  is  full  of  beauty,  and  the  camp 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


29 


of  the  National  Guard  in  the  vicinity  of  old 
Fort  Independence  gives  it  an  additional  at- 
traction. 

In  fact  the  variety  of  the  landscape,  and 
the  character  of  the  country,  afford  a  choice 
of  different  types  of  scenery,  which  cannot 
fail  to  gratify  the  most  varied  taste. 

The  smooth,  level  boulevards,  running 
along  the  banks  of  the  river,  beneath  the 
shade  of  fine  old  forest  trees,  the  branches 
of  which  frequently  interlock,  forming  a  leafy 
arch  overhead,  can  be  enjoyed  by  all,  espe- 
cially the  timid,  while  the  more  venturesome 
can  be  fully  satisfied  with  a  drive  over  moun- 
tain top  and  deep  ravine. 

When  nature  in  summer  has  arrayed  the 
mountains  and  valleys  of  the  Highlands  in 
her  mantle  of  green,  they  become  so  attrac- 
tive that  one  living  in  their  midst  may  well 
wish  that  summer  never  would  end.  Yet 
autumn  lends  a  charm  to  these  scenes,  which, 
to  that  of  summer,  is  like  the  bright  golden 
hues  of  the  setting  sun  to  that  of  the  same 
orb  in  full  career  at  midday. 


i 


30  The  Hudson  Highlands. 

Then  it  is  that  the  gorgeous  tinting  of  the 
forest-covered  mountain  beggars  all  descrip- 
tion. The  life  of  contented  indolence  which 
this  season  always  invites  may  be  here  en- 
joyed to  perfection. 

The  demand  for  the  autumnal  season  has 
induced  Mr.  Cranston  to  prolong  the  clos- 
ing of  the  hotel  until  the  Indian  summer  is 
past,  affording  a  most  charming  retreat  for 
the  summer  tourist  before  entering  upon  the 
routine  of  winter  lif^. 

The  ease  with  which  this  hotel  in  the 
Highlands  can  be  reached  makes  it  a  favorite 
resort  for  gentlemen  who  are  required  every 
day  at  their  business  in  New  York.  Such 
can  go  back  and  forth  daily,  or,  if  they  pre- 
fer, can  come  up  Saturdays,  spending  Sun- 
days with  their  families,  returning  the  next 
morning,  running  up  once  or  twice  during 
the  week,  according  to  circumstances. 

Parties  wishing  to  establish  their  families 
for  the  season  can  make  very  satisfactory  ar- 
rangements as  to  prices,  etc.,  etc. 

This  hotel  is  forty-eight  miles  from  New 


The  Hudson  Highlands. 


31 


York,  and  can  be  reached  any  hour  of  the 
day  by  train  or  boat.  The  trains  on  the 
Hudson  River  Railroad  occupy  one  hour 
and  fifteen  minutes  in  going  from  New  York 
to  Garrison's.  Here  the  ferry  is  ready  to 
start  for  the  hotel  upon  the  arrival  of  every 
train,  whether  it  comes  from  the  north  or 
south. 

The  West  Shore  Railroad  will  have  trains 
running  from  Jersey  City  to  this  hotel  by  the 
time  it  is  opened  (June  ist),  and  will  make 
the  distance  in  one  hour,  stopping  at  the 
new  depot  at  Cranston's  Landing,  just  at  the 
foot  of  the  cliff  below  the  hotel. 

Several  lines  of  steamboats  run  daily  up 
and  down  the  river,  touching  at  Cranston's 
Landing,  affording  the  traveller  an  agreeable 
ride  on  a  summer  day,  as  well  as  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  the  far-famed  beauties  of  the 
Hudson. 

Guests  of  the  hotel  doing  business  in  the 
city  find  it  convenient  to  take  the  Mary 
Powell,  which  leaves  her  dock  at  3.30  p.m., 
arriving  at  Cranston's  Landing  about  5.45, 


32  The  Hudsojt  Highlajids. 


o 


in  ample  time  for  dinner.  The  next  morning- 
she  returns,  leaving  the  landing  at  8.20, 
reaching  New  York  about  10.30, 

If  one  wishes  to  reach  New  York  earlier, 
there  is  an  early  train  which  arrives  at  the 
city  before  9  a.m.  Breakfast  is  always  pro- 
vided for  those  leaving  early. 

It  does  not  seem  possible  for  one  to  inhale 
the  pure  air  of  the  Highlands  and  enjoy  the 
comforts  provided  by  Mr.  Cranston,  without 
being  made  sensible  of  having  received  in 
many  respects  more  or  less  benefit. 

The  complete  appointments  of  the  house, 
the  high  moral  tone  and  standing  of  the 
guests,  all  serve  to  make  a  summer  spent  at 
Cranston's  West  Point  Hotel  one  of  the 
most  enjoyable  ever  passed. 


X.-2^ 


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